No New Year greetings during working hours in govt offices: Odisha CM

Ahead of the English New Year, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi extended advance greetings on Tuesday to the people of Odisha while urging government employees to prioritise official work over celebrations. Advising restraint, the CM said the New Year should not be spent away from office duties in the name of celebrations.

Also Read: Tradition versus Modernity: Greeting cards fade as New Year wishes go digital

In a message posted on his social media platform X, the CM clarified that government offices will function normally on the first day of the New Year. He requested people not to visit his office to convey New Year greetings and appealed to government staff to avoid participating in greeting or felicitation programmes during office hours.

Emphasising discipline and efficiency, Chief Minister Majhi asked employees to focus on official responsibilities and ensure the smooth functioning of government work. He further mentioned that those visiting government residences to extend greetings should refrain from bringing gifts or bouquets.

“Your goodwill, blessings, and best wishes are more than enough for me,” the Chief Minister said, underlining a message of simplicity, responsibility, and dedication to public service as the New Year begins.

Worth mentioning, as the New Year approaches, wishes and greetings begin to pour in. People express their good wishes to friends and family in different ways. However, in the digital age, the way greetings are exchanged has undergone significant changes. A look back in time reminds us how greeting cards once played a major role in conveying wishes.

There was a time when people had been sharing beautifully hand-written lines filled with affection and humour on greeting cards and personally handed them to friends. For loved ones staying far away, greeting cards were sent through the post office, carrying emotions across distances. These hand-written messages made celebrations feel more personal and meaningful.